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MSystems Oct 2023Microbiology conferences can be powerful places to build collaborations and exchange ideas, but for queer and transgender (trans) scientists, they can also become...
Microbiology conferences can be powerful places to build collaborations and exchange ideas, but for queer and transgender (trans) scientists, they can also become sources of alienation and isolation. Many conference organizers would like to create welcoming and inclusive events but feel ill-equipped to make this vision a reality, and a historical lack of representation of queer and trans folks in microbiology means we rarely occupy these key leadership roles ourselves. Looking more broadly, queer and trans scientists are systematically marginalized across scientific fields, leading to disparities in career outcomes, professional networks, and opportunities, as well as the loss of unique scientific perspectives at all levels. For queer and trans folks with multiple, intersecting, marginalized identities, these barriers often become even more severe. Here, we draw from our experiences as early-career microbiologists to provide concrete, practical advice to help conference organizers across research communities design inclusive, safe, and welcoming conferences, where queer and trans scientists can flourish.
Topics: Humans; Transgender Persons; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Gender Identity; Transsexualism
PubMed: 37800938
DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00433-23 -
Journal of Endocrinological... Sep 2023Many issues still remain unresolved in the management of pubertal patients with gender incongruence (GI). The aim of this review is to discuss the main aspects of the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Many issues still remain unresolved in the management of pubertal patients with gender incongruence (GI). The aim of this review is to discuss the main aspects of the treatment of these patients to provide a practical approach for clinicians.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search within PubMed was performed to provide updates of available evidence regarding the impact on bioethical, medical and fertility issues in gender incongruence during transition age.
RESULTS
Gender Affirming Hormone Treatment (GAHT) and Gender Affirming Surgery (GAS) can induce unsatisfaction with change, future regrets, and the risk of infertility. This raises ethical issues especially in the management of pubertal patients that remain unresolved. Therapy with GnRH analogues (GnRHa) is intended to delay puberty, so as to give the adolescent a longer period of time to decide whether to continue with the treatments. At the level of physical changes, this therapy may have an effect on bone mineralization and body composition; however, long-term longitudinal data are not yet available. An important feature related to the use of GnRHa is the risk of fertility. Gamete cryopreservation is the most established method of fertility preservation (FP) and should be counselled to transgender adolescents. However, these patients are not always interested in having biological children.
CONCLUSION
Based on the current evidence, there is a need to conduct further research to clarify certain issues and to standardize clinical practice and improve counselling in transgender adolescent decision making and avoid regrets in the future.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Fertility Preservation; Counseling; Infertility; Cryopreservation; Transsexualism; Transgender Persons; Gender Dysphoria; Gender Identity
PubMed: 37071372
DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02077-5 -
American Journal of Transplantation :... Jun 2023Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)-diverse populations experience discrimination in organ and tissue donation and transplantation (OTDT) systems globally. We... (Review)
Review
Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)-diverse populations experience discrimination in organ and tissue donation and transplantation (OTDT) systems globally. We assembled a multidisciplinary group of clinical experts as well as SOGI-diverse patient and public partners and conducted a scoping review including citations on the experiences of SOGI-diverse persons in OTDT systems globally to identify and explore the inequities that exist with regards to living and deceased OTDT. Using scoping review methods, we conducted a systematic literature search of relevant electronic databases from 1970 to 2021 including a grey literature search. We identified and screened 2402 references and included 87 unique publications. Two researchers independently coded data in included publications in duplicate. We conducted a best-fit framework synthesis paired with an inductive thematic analysis to identify synthesized benefits, harms, inequities, justification of inequities, recommendations to mitigate inequities, laws and regulations, as well as knowledge and implementation gaps regarding SOGI-diverse identities in OTDT systems. We identified numerous harms and inequities for SOGI-diverse populations in OTDT systems. There were no published benefits of SOGI-diverse identities in OTDT systems. We summarized recommendations for the promotion of equity for SOGI-diverse populations and identified gaps that can serve as targets for action moving forward.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Gender Identity; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 36997028
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.03.016 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2022When shame and guilt emotional experiences related to stressful events remain unresolved, they can be related to psychological impairment and recursive thoughts. The...
When shame and guilt emotional experiences related to stressful events remain unresolved, they can be related to psychological impairment and recursive thoughts. The present study aims to explore the association between state shame and state guilt related to past stressful experiences and psychopathological symptoms and evaluating a mediation role by immature defenses. A total of 90 participants (48.9% female; mean age 23.66) were considered in the present study to (a) investigate correlations between state guilt and shame scores related to personal stressful events and psychopathological symptoms related to global severity index; (b) assess whether state guilt and shame scores related to personal stressful events are positively correlated with immature defenses; (c) test whether immature defenses mediates the relationship between, respectively, state shame and state guilt with psychopathological symptoms. Significant correlations between state shame, state guilt, psychopathological symptoms, and immature defenses were found. Higher activations on immature defenses partially mediated the relationship between psychopathological symptoms and state shame and state guilt, respectively. Past experiences related to shame and guilt should be targeted by specific treatments that could help stop recursive maladaptive thoughts and empower more adaptive defensive strategies.
PubMed: 35592158
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.832237 -
ELife Aug 2022Bacteria use diverse immunity mechanisms to defend themselves against their viral predators, bacteriophages. In turn, phages can acquire counter-defense systems, but it...
Bacteria use diverse immunity mechanisms to defend themselves against their viral predators, bacteriophages. In turn, phages can acquire counter-defense systems, but it remains unclear how such mechanisms arise and what factors constrain viral evolution. Here, we experimentally evolved T4 phage to overcome a phage-defensive toxin-antitoxin system, , in . Through recombination, T4 rapidly acquires segmental amplifications of a previously uncharacterized gene, now named , encoding an inhibitor of the toxin, ToxN. These amplifications subsequently drive large deletions elsewhere in T4's genome to maintain a genome size compatible with capsid packaging. The deleted regions include accessory genes that help T4 overcome defense systems in alternative hosts. Thus, our results reveal a trade-off in viral evolution; the emergence of one counter-defense mechanism can lead to loss of other such mechanisms, thereby constraining host range. We propose that the accessory genomes of viruses reflect the integrated evolutionary history of the hosts they infected.
Topics: Bacteriophage T4; Bacteriophages; Defense Mechanisms; Escherichia coli; Host Specificity; Toxin-Antitoxin Systems
PubMed: 35924892
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.79549 -
American Journal of Public Health Mar 2022
Topics: Gender Identity; Humans; Sexual and Gender Minorities
PubMed: 35196044
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2021.306709 -
American Journal of Medical Genetics.... Jul 2022We present innovative research practices in psychiatric genetic studies to ensure representation of individuals from diverse ancestry, sex assigned at birth, gender... (Review)
Review
We present innovative research practices in psychiatric genetic studies to ensure representation of individuals from diverse ancestry, sex assigned at birth, gender identity, age, body shape and size, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Due to histories of inappropriate and harmful practices against marginalized groups in both psychiatry and genetics, people of certain identities may be hesitant to participate in research studies. Yet their participation is essential to ensure diverse representation, as it is incorrect to assume that the same genetic and environmental factors influence the risk for various psychiatric disorders across all demographic groups. We present approaches developed as part of the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI), a study that required tailored approaches to recruit diverse populations across many countries. Considerations include research priorities and design, recruitment and study branding, transparency, and community investment and ownership. Ensuring representation in participants is costly and funders need to provide adequate support to achieve diversity in recruitment in prime awards, not just as supplemental afterthoughts. The need for diverse samples in genetic studies is critical to minimize the risk of perpetuating health disparities in psychiatry and other health research. Although the EDGI strategies were designed specifically to attract and enroll individuals with eating disorders, our approach is broadly applicable across psychiatry and other fields.
Topics: Female; Gender Identity; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Research
PubMed: 35785430
DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32906 -
MBio Nov 2023Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is globally prevalent, with latent infections observed in up to 80% of the population. The virus is known for subverting host defense...
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is globally prevalent, with latent infections observed in up to 80% of the population. The virus is known for subverting host defense mechanisms and infiltrating the nervous system to establish latency in peripheral ganglia. Multiple stressors can reactivate the virus, and recurrent herpes has been linked to vision loss and neurodegeneration. Identifying critical host factors that limit the spread of HSV-1 and the subsequent establishment of latent infection holds the potential to drive new intervention strategies for eradicating the virus. Numerous pieces of evidence underscore the significance of Tank-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) in restricting HSV-1. Reports have also suggested that phosphorylation of optineurin (OPTN) by TBK1 is required for triggering OPTN-mediated autophagy for HSV degradation. This report adds new insights into the roles of OPTN and TBK1 in HSV-1 infection and provides proof of a TBK1-independent HSV-1 restriction through OPTN. It confirms that TBK1 activation can be substituted by PLK1 to provide protection against HSV-1. In contrast, the activation of OPTN is likely an indispensable host defense mechanism for optimal defense against HSV-1.
PubMed: 38019030
DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02715-23 -
Current Research in Microbial Sciences Dec 2021Numerous harmful microorganisms and insect pests have the ability to cause plant infections or damage, which is mostly controlled by toxic chemical agents. These... (Review)
Review
Numerous harmful microorganisms and insect pests have the ability to cause plant infections or damage, which is mostly controlled by toxic chemical agents. These chemical compounds and their derivatives exhibit hazardous effects on habitats and human life too. Hence, there's a need to develop novel, more effective and safe bio-control agents. A variety of microbes such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi possess a great potential to fight against phytopathogens and thus can be used as bio-control agents instead of harmful chemical compounds. These naturally occurring microorganisms are applied to the plants in order to control phytopathogens. Moreover, practicing them appropriately for agriculture management can be a way towards a sustainable approach. The MBCAs follow various modes of action and act as elicitors where they induce a signal to activate plant defense mechanisms against a variety of pathogens. MBCAs control phytopathogens and help in disease suppression through the production of enzymes, antimicrobial compounds, antagonist activity involving hyper-parasitism, induced resistance, competitive inhibition, etc. Efficient recognition of pathogens and prompt defensive response are key factors of induced resistance in plants. This resistance phenomenon is pertaining to a complex cascade that involves an increased amount of defensive proteins, salicylic acid (SA), or induction of signaling pathways dependent on plant hormones. Although, there's a dearth of information about the exact mechanism of plant-induced resistance, the studies conducted at the physiological, biochemical and genetic levels. These studies tried to explain a series of plant defensive responses triggered by bio-control agents that may enhance the defensive capacity of plants. Several natural and recombinant microorganisms are commercially available as bio-control agents that mainly include strains of and . However, the complete understanding of microbial bio-control agents and their interactions at cellular and molecular levels will facilitate the screening of effective and eco-friendly bio-agents, thereby increasing the scope of MBCAs. This article is a comprehensive review that highlights the importance of microbial agents as elicitors in the activation and regulation of plant defense mechanisms in response to a variety of pathogens.
PubMed: 34841345
DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2021.100054 -
Journal of Health Economics May 2023We integrate anticipatory utility and endogenous beliefs about future negative health shocks into a life-cycle model of physiological aging. Individuals care about their...
We integrate anticipatory utility and endogenous beliefs about future negative health shocks into a life-cycle model of physiological aging. Individuals care about their future utility derived from their health status and form endogenous beliefs about the probability of a negative health shock. We calibrate the model with data from gerontology and use the model to predict medical testing decisions of individuals. We find that anticipation in combination with endogenous beliefs provides a quantitatively strong motive to avoid medical testing for Huntington's disease, which explains the low testing rates found empirically. We also study the case of breast and ovarian cancer and provide an explanation for why testing rates depend on the individual's income when treatment is available.
Topics: Humans; Information Avoidance; Health Status
PubMed: 37004358
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2023.102755